What Are Opioids?

It’s normal for people to experience pain from time-to-time. They usually use over-the-counter pain relievers for mild to moderate pain. Unfortunately, these medications do very little to help mask severe pain. Opioids are the best choice for severe pain, but what are opioids?

What Are Opioids In Relation to Addiction?

Opioids have very similar properties to the opium plants from which they come. Medically, opioids help people deal with severe pain. It’s not uncommon for people to get opioids from their doctors after having surgery.

People should keep in mind, however, that opioids and opiates are different. Opiates are natural, whereas opioids are synthetic. In either case, they bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system and brain.

When people take opioids for pain relief, three things happen. First, the amount of pain they feel becomes less intense. Next, the reaction they have to pain typically eases. Lastly, they develop an increased tolerance for pain.

Opioid Side Effects

People need to know the answer to, “What are opioids?” However, they also have to know the side effects of taking these drugs. Even when they take opioids their doctors prescribe, the drugs still produce side effects, such as:

Drowsiness

Vomiting

Nausea

Constipation

Low motor skills

Opioid side effects are worse when people take other drugs. Doctors recommend you don’t take opioids with alcohol, antidepressants, sleeping pills or antihistamines. The combination of these drugs can cause a bad reaction in the body.

Opioid Tolerance and Addiction

While opioids have a place in the medical industry, they’re also very addictive. People can even develop opioid addiction after taking the drugs as their doctors prescribe. Some people can develop an addiction in a short time span.

However, people typically develop an addiction to opioids after developing a tolerance to the drug. Over time, they have to take more and more opioids to get the same effect. Taking large doses of opioids increases their chances of developing an addiction.

Once people develop a tolerance to opioids, they experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping use. Withdrawal symptoms from opioids vary from mild to extreme. The severity depends on how long and how much intake.

Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms usually include irritability, muscle pain and vomiting. In some cases, people can also have seizures and heart problems.

Mental Disorders and Addiction

Some people are more likely to develop addiction than others. It’s a type of mental disorder, and people with a mental disorder are more likely to develop other mental disorders. For example, people who suffer from depression are more likely to develop addiction.

Many rehab centers offer dual diagnosis programs to deal with multiple mental disorders. Addiction to drugs often develops as a result of underlying mental disorders. Failure to diagnose underlying conditions can make people more prone to relapse after seeking rehab.

Who Is More Likely to Abuse Opioids?

Both genders abuse opioids. However, men tend to abuse them slightly more often than women. People who have a history of addiction that runs in their families are also more likely to abuse opioids.

In terms of age, young adults and adults are the biggest abusers. Young adults in high school and college use the drug for recreational use. Many teens first test the drug at parties and develop an interest for it.

Adults usually abuse opioids for one of two reasons. First, some adults abuse opioids because they started using them during adolescence. Others develop an addiction after their doctors prescribe the drug for a medical issue.

Overcome Your Addiction At Crest View Recovery Center

Now you know the answer to the question: What are opioids? But now you have to take the next step. When people suffer from addiction, they find it hard to get their lives back on track. However, Crest View Recovery Center can help. We offer addiction treatment with your best interests in mind. Some of the addiction therapy programs we offer include: